The Bodyguard's Duty ✅

Chapter 10 - Lockdown

* Extended chapter

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"You've got to be kidding me..."

Ethan was slightly taken back by Thomas' reaction. Given all the times that the bodyguard tried to make things friendly and tolerable for each other, Ethan assumed Thomas would have taken the olive branch.

Thomas' silence spoke volume to Ethan, and he felt awkward because he didn't know what to do next.

"Tommy?" Thomas seethed out with disgust. "After all we went through tonight, you're still calling me that?"

Ethan's heartbeat began to calm down once he realised Thomas was joking around with him. He was relieved that after everything they went through, Thomas was stooping to his level of playfulness.

"Sure thing Tom, I like it!" Ethan grinned mischievously, "Take it or leave it."

Thomas mentally debated whether he would be able to stomach this for another week. The smile on Ethan's face gave him an answer, because this side of Ethan was better to deal with than the one who was fighting him with every decision, or every thing he said.

"I'll take it." Thomas laughed, "Come on, let's get out of here."

Ethan followed Thomas to his car, and because he couldn't drive, Ethan sat in the passenger seat.

As the engine turned on, Ethan continued to look at the Shelton building until it was eventually out of his sight.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thomas had called Javier and told him about everything that happened on floor 33. After telling his client about the attack on his son, Javier had ordered the both of them to come to the Shelton Manor.

Ethan had been on the phone with Kristen when Thomas was talking to his dad. After being summoned himself, Ethan had called Kristen so that she would meet them there too.

Javier had told them both that he had hired some people to help sort out the mess that was the 4 attackers. Thomas identified that Javier was deliberately being vague with it, and that the 4 attackers were going to be 'taken care of'.

Thomas had asked Javier multiples time about calling the police over the last week, but the older man just always dismissed it. Javier always said that a bodyguard would be more effective than police protection, but Thomas never really saw the connection.

"Call me dumb, but why not go to the police and report everything about tonight?" Thomas asked once they both ended their phone calls.

"You're dumb."

Thomas turned his head towards the passenger seat and silently stared at Ethan.

Ethan immediately regretted saying that as he hit himself on the head. "Sorry, force of habit."

Ethan saw Thomas' smirk as a result, so he felt comfortable continuing to explain. "My family don't go to the police because it could ruin our branding."

"For being attacked?" Thomas still didn't understand the issue when Ethan has been the clear victim for the entirety of the past week.

Ethan was rocking his head side to side as he knew he was guilty for being partly to blame for it. "The Golden Goose is known for some 'not so legal gambling'. That and I'm not exactly a golden child."

"Obviously."

"Anyway..." Ethan said loudly over Thomas's snide comment. "Mr Checkstone has some big ties with the police commissioner. With how corrupt the police force might be, it's just not worth the time or effort."